On Monday night I was watching BBC Parliament (yes I'm one of those sad people) and the subject of lying was touched on in a debate that in a pre-Brexit era would be more likely to be in a comedy sketch show. To be honest some of the scenes in the debate, on whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson would respect the rule of law, were too comical even for that.

That debate was held after recent government minister's replies to the key question on if the PM will follow the law passed on Monday, and write to the European Union to request an extension to the article 50 deadline, if it came to that.

Mr Johnson has consistently said he would not ask for that extension, and Britain will leave on October 31 - with or without deal. Remember Amber Rudd, a cabinet member last week, says the government is only using 10 per cent of its time to get a deal.

One of the best examples of a pretty confusing reply to the question of what the PM would do was given by the chancellor, county MP Sajid Javid.

"Of course this government will obey the law" the MP said.

Then he said Boris Johnson ‘absolutely will not’ ask for an article 50 extension.

Assuming the law is watertight, both of those can't be true. It also seemingly would put the PM in trouble legally, if he broke it.

During recent days we have also seen the criticism that opposition MPs say they want an election, but don't vote for one - although their argument, wanting to rule out no deal first, looks valid.

And all this follows the prorogation of parliament which just a few weeks ago cabinet members called an 'attack on democracy they would not support', yet the Commons closed its doors yesterday.

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